Finding a Supervisor

A supervisor is a professor who mentors and guides you through your research and thesis development. They offer support, advice, and direction throughout your academic journey.

The relationship you have with your supervisor will play a key role in your experience and success as a graduate student. It's important to choose a supervisor whose research interests align with yours, whose approach complements your learning style, and who will support you in achieving your academic and research goals.

Jump to: Graduate Coordinators

 Guide for Connecting with a Potential Supervisor 

1) Do you need a supervisor?

All course-based Masters do not require a supervisor.

Some research-based master's and doctoral programs require a supervisor to be identified at the time of application. Ensure you review your program admission requirements in detail here.

If your program requires you to identify a potential supervisor, you should take time to think about your academic goals, learning style, and research interests in advance of beginning your supervisor search.

2) Searching for a supervisor

Visit Faculty or Department websites to learn more about faculty members in your desired field. Faculty profiles or websites will often provide details about conference participation, course instruction, publications, and CVs. Review the list of Research Centers and Institutes at Lakehead University which identify specific clusters of expertise. Applicants may also want to review our list of Canada Research Chairs or Other Research Chairs to familiarize themselves with our internationally recognized researchers.

For a complete list of faculty members and their areas of research and teaching expertise, please visit Lakehead University's Faculty and Staff Profiles or the program's website by selecting the appropriate academic department. Some departmental websites will include a list of supervisors and their potential and developing research opportunities.

3) Reaching out to potential supervisors

The next step is to contact the supervisors on your shortlist. Below are some recommendations for drafting a strong introductory email to potential supervisors. Be sure to tailor your email for each potential supervisor. Your goal is to stand out and generate interest in working with you.

Drafting a Strong Introductory Email

  • Use proper letter format, formal salutations – Professor/Dr. (last name), conclude with your full name and contact information.
  • Attach your CV and current transcripts.
  • Specify the program for which you are interested in applying to.
  • Write a statement indicating your interest in graduate studies, your previous research experience, your potential research topic, and your academic/career goals. If you have a research proposal or summary, include that as an attachment.
  • Explain your interest in the faculty member and discuss how your research aligns with theirs (this can be a great way to differentiate yourself and make a strong case for your candidacy).
  • Indicate why you are interested in studying at Lakehead University specifically.
  • Ask if they are accepting graduate students under their supervision for your desired admit term.
  • If you already have funding or a scholarship, specify the source, value, and duration
4) Connecting with Potential Supervisors

Please be patient in receiving a response to your introductory email. If no response is received within a few weeks, an additional follow-up email would be appropriate*.

After establishing contact with a potential supervisor, you may wish to arrange for a phone call or virtual meeting. Applicants should be prepared to ask potential supervisors questions during this meeting. It may be beneficial to prepare questions in advance surrounding topics such as the faculty member's experience, expectations, and availability.

* Kindly note, due to the number of interested applicants, Faculty members may not have the capacity to follow up with everyone. If you are seeking additional support connecting with a potential supervisor, you are encouraged to follow up with the Graduate Coordinator for your program of interest.